Internet Chat Rooms: Are
We Missign the Point?
by: Jesse S. Somer
In my short life, after years of talking too much, I’ve come to realize
that if one is always speaking, one never listens. If you never listen to
others, well, you’re limiting your access to a lot of knowledge and
information. Recently, after much deliberation I thought I’d check out
what the world of Chat Rooms is like. People talk to each other by text,
voice, and web cam. This is a really big phenomenon; I wanted to see what
all the fuss is about.
I expect there are many chat rooms where people with similar interests
get to know each other, and share their perspectives on various aspects of
life. These are great, much cheaper than telephones, and multiple, random
people can chat to one another simultaneously.
But I speak the truth, and my preconceived ideas about mindless gossip
from jaded humans were sadly affirmed as I arbitrarily checked chat rooms
that supposedly discussed important subjects. It seems some people are
just very bored, and want to be cool and swear on-line, insulting others,
and giving this area of information technology a bad name. I think a lot
of people are using the rooms solely for personal conversation that
contextually no one else can understand.
I went to a chat room about religion, and then to one about tattoos and
it seemed like the same people were talking. Most of the conversation
didn’t even touch the supposed subject matter. It was definitely a
disenchanting experience but hopefully with more research I hope to come
across some serious rooms where the true intent of the creators has come
to fruition.
I guess it’s good that bored people in our technological society have
others to talk to. It means depressed adolescents may feel more connected
to others and not so alone in the world, maybe even having a positive
effect on a possibly suicidal youth. But, I do feel this nonsensical
chitchat is a sign of our next generation’s apathetic view of present
reality in our postmodern culture. When reading the text from a supposedly
religious discussion, and hearing graphic use of derogatory terminology, I
really have to wonder about the present spiritual beliefs of my culture.
I’m a true believer of the concept that technology is here to further
the consciousness of humanity. Computers and the Internet can help bring
all of us in the world together, thus evolving our society to the next
level. After looking at chat rooms, I feel there is a need to integrate
more wisdom and compassion into our ‘new world’ generation. Having the
technology is great, but it is only one half of the equation. To make the
Internet work properly, I think we need to instill the same faith we have
in science, into a faith that encompasses the actual creators of the
information and communication tools-humanity itself. We seem to realize
that we can invent many great things, but it looks like we’re missing out
on the great truth: that we ourselves are part of, and made of something
great in itself: Life. (Existence!) |
